MONDAY, October 6th, 2008, AT 3:30 PM/PST

Bridges
Don't Fall Down!

Some may not remember a horrible tragedy that happened about a year ago in Minnesota (USA). On August 1st, 2007 the unthinkable happened. The I35W Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota over the Mississippi River collapsed! ( Click Here ) A major arterial interstate bridge in a big American city. many would think, "This doesn't happen in the U.S." But it does and it did.

A good friend of the IKF, Glen Legus of Minnesota, had a personal interest in this event and has made an effort to never forget this day.

His son-in-law Karge Olsen was on the I35W Bridge when it went down. Karge was badly hurt and has had a difficult time, but despite his injuries, he went back to work within weeks. Because of that he has been able to struggle thru the last year just barely keeping his family afloat, but none the less, afloat.

However, several of those hurt badly, and some of those that lost breadwinners, have gone deeper and deeper under. This pains Karge greatly, and despite his own hardships he wanted desperately to do something to help those not so lucky. So Karge and Glen decided to write the book, "Bridges Don't Fall Down: Stories from the I35W Bridge Collapse."

The book tells the story of those on the bridge that day, and Karge tells his story of life after the bridge collapse over the last year. The book is about that event and how it impacts the lives of those on the bridge that day. Karge and Glen tell the stories in verse of those on the bridge at that moment. Mixed in with those individual stories is Karge Olsen’s experience as it unfolds over the year following the collapse. Karge shares his evolving month to month story of how that day changed his life, and how his life is now. He describes for us what he's done and been through in the year since the collapse.

Please remember that Karge’s narrative is only one man’s story of the struggle to survive, and to just get by, that has become the reality for those families that lost loves ones and for those seriously injured. That’s why Karge decided to share his experience. By telling his story he hopes you'll have some idea of the enormity of this event for those whose lives are now forever changed. Telling their story is also an effort to help. Karge and Glen are donating ALL authors’ royalties to the victims of the bridge collapse... To those that fell with the bridge that day.

For those who are willing to help out and purchase a copy of the book, please click HERE.

On September 18th, 2008, The New Bridge opened at 5:AM.

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